The Elephanta Caves are a network of ancient Hindu and Buddhist rock-cut cave temples located on Elephanta Island in Mumbai, India. The caves, which are believed to have been carved out of solid basalt rock in the 5th or 6th century, contain a
The Elephanta Caves form a collection of cave temples predominantly dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva; UNESCO has designated them as a World Heritage Site. They are located on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri, in Mumbai Harbour, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) east of Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The island, about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) west of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port, features five Hindu caves, a few Buddhist stupa mounds that date back to the 2nd century BCE, and two Buddhist caves with water tanks.